Eight Killed in B-52 Crash Near Edwards Air Force Base

Military officials say eight people were killed Monday morning when a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California.

(CNN)- Military officials say eight people were killed Monday morning when a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California.

According to Col. James Hayes, Deputy Commander of Edwards Air Force Base, the aircraft was supporting a radar modernization program when it went down moments after becoming airborne.

“It was a B-52 that was on initial takeoff, supporting the radar modernization program,” Hayes said. “It took off and immediately after takeoff, crashed and burst into flames.”

Emergency crews rushed to the scene as a massive plume of black smoke rose into the sky. The smoke could be seen for miles across the desert landscape northeast of Los Angeles.

Video from the aftermath showed extensive damage at the crash site, with the aircraft largely destroyed by the impact and resulting fire. Officials said the force of the crash left a large burn scar on the base’s runway area.

“After reviewing the footage of the crash, it was deemed that this was an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable,” Hayes said.

Authorities then began notifying the families of those on board.

All eight crew members were killed in the crash. Officials said the crew included a mix of military personnel, government civilians, and government contractors participating in the test mission.

“This was a mixed crew of military, government civilians, and government contractors supporting this test mission,” Hayes said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.